Seven Wins In A Row After Derby Day Delight

by Jeff King

Ebac Northern League Division 2 - Friday 26th December 2025 Chester-le-Street Town 0 v 1 Park View AFC

Bragging rights but much more importantly three precious promotion seeking points were gained by Park View AFC in the now traditional Boxing Day Derby at Moor Park, the home of their neighbourhood Town rivals.

A bumper crowd of 414 turned up to swell the coffers of Park View's derby rivals but that was all that was swelled on the day. The points going back down to the Town Centre and The Riverside headquarters of PV.

It also meant that Park View have now won seven in a row in the league as they kept their 14th clean sheet of the season. The side born out of the Academy set-up at Park View School are certainly top of the form table right now.

After last week's 7-0 drubbing of Sunderland West End, Park View only made a single change to their starting line-up. The fit again Jacob Mallinson coming in for Zac Boddy who dropped down to the bench.

For Town it was a tale of two ex-Park View strikers. Nathan Conroy was fit enough to lead the line for the Cestrians which with top scorer Scott Robson out through suspension gave the home side a focal point at the top of the park.

Before the game even kicked out talk was about the playing surface that looked heavy, uneven and muddy and not a pitch that looked conducive to any side looking to play expansive football. But, it was the same for both teams.

It was pretty clear almost from the first whistle that smooth passing and running with the ball was going to be virtually impossible. Meaning the white-hot heat of a derby match-up was going to be even more competitive.

The first meaningful attack of the game came from the home side and a long throw-in from Joe Thompson on the left midway inside the PV half. His delivery saw Dylan Robson head the ball away to the edge of the box.

It was picked up by Nathan Stephenson who fired in the first shot of the game but it was always rising as it passed over the Park View cross bar with James Hughes untroubled.

Ben Gallagher instigated PV's first opening when his drive from midfield was checked by a foul 30 yards out by Jack Honour. Michael Mallaburn delivered the free kick and Jamie Frizzel got in front of the Town defence.

But as the ball bobbled up it clearly struck him on the hand giving an unfair advantage that the referee spotted awarding a free kick correctly to Town to dissipate any danger.

On eight minutes PV were indebted to the bravery and awareness of Mallaburn. Stephenson threading a great through ball past the PV defence that looked as it it had put Nathan Greenwood clear inside the box one-on-one with Hughes.

Mallaburn though read it beautifully and timed his sliding tackle to perfection to whisk the ball away from Greenwood's feet and deny him a great scoring opportunity.

Park View's response was a lovely flowing move where from defence Robson found Brad Hughes on halfway who immediately drove forward before finding Gallagher in space.

Gallagher's clever pass almost put Brandon Young through on goal in the clear as he burst from midfield but he was thwarted by Jack Honour who came across and made a timely interception.

Mallaburn then played a ball forward that Gallagher flicked on to Stephen Siyanbola he held it up well before being fouled by Honour 25-yards from goal. Mallaburn's free kick from a dangerous position well cleared by Town.

A clever ball by Callum Munro on the right released Greenwood into the box. He laid the ball back to his captain Nick Little who's deep cross was headed out for a corner by Mallaburn as Conroy closed in.

Stephenson took it and delivered a great in swinger into the PV six-yard area. Tyler Brownsword getting there in front of Hughes to loop a header towards the back post that actually hit the bar and was scrambled clear by Gallagher.

Gallagher then picking a ball up in midfield and transferring it right to find Mallinson in space. The Park View wide right attacker being blocked by Thompson with the ball rolling free.

Mallaburn was first to it and tried his luck from 25-yards out but his effort lacked the power to really trouble Jack Norton who held the on target effort easily. The pitch by now really playing it's part and making it very difficult for both sides.

A very, very, scrappy but intense encounter was unfolding with both sides standing their ground well and defences well on top. Mallaburn was showing up well for PV and tried his luck again from distance.

Mallinson turned a ball back down the touchline to Park View's right back and looking up he spotted Norton well off his line so tried to fire in a deep effort from the angle.

Once again it was difficult for him to get the purchase he required to trouble Norton who was able to step across easily and catch the ball cleanly. It had been a good idea from Mallaburn though to try something different.

Park View's midfield were dove tailing and combining well to support their attack without any real chances being created. Brandon Young almost stealing in to get on the end of a dinked ball into the box by Mallaburn.

Unfortunately in trying to turn the ball first time past Norton from 8-yards he couldn't get the power he needed to trouble the Town keeper who gathered the ball easily.

PV did get the ball in the net on 44 minutes but the 'goal' was rightly ruled out for offside. B Young and Frizzel combining really well on the left before Frizzel slid the ball into the Town box.

Mallinson got free but just timed his run too early and the flag went up to signal his neat finish from inside the six-yard box was not going to count. It brought to end a first half full of endeavour but little in the way of quality or chances.

Town though almost snatched the lead with their first attack of the second half. It came almost inevitably from a set play. Another long Thompson throw-in that initially Siyanbola headed back out to the thrower.

Thompson hit a deep cross to the back post that Dan Marriott got to first but couldn't quite get under control. However Stephenson nipped in and drove a low right foot shot inches wide of the far post from 10-yards. It was close.

Park View were awarded a free kick in the centre circle that Mallaburn took. His flighted kick saw Frizzel get a knockdown to Charlie Loveday who tried a left foot shot from the edge of the box that was on target but Norton saved easily.

Park View were looking the stronger and more inventive as the half opened. A lovely move saw them almost open up the home defence. Gallagher finding Loveday who had moved inside and then made a great run across to the right.

He then tried to feed B Young inside the box but the ball was just behind the midfielder and the chance look lost. Siyanbola though sprinted out of the box to retrieve the ball on the right wing and was fouled by Munro.

It was a dangerous position for a free kick but Mallaburn's whipped delivery was well met and cleared by Brownsword as once again the home defence stood firm. It was through breached on 52 minutes.

Tom Howard conceding possession to B Young inside his own centre circle. Young immediately clipping a great ball wide right to Mallinson who in space controlled it well. A little step over when faced by Thompson creating space.

Enough space to whip in a great cross that saw Gallagher get into the right area to meet it with a great glancing header from six-yards out that flew past a static Nolan who had no chance of keeping it out.

Gallagher's fourth goal in two games illustrating the fine form the youngster is in and giving Park View a precious advantage in such a crucial game.

B Young was then booked for what looked like a clean tackle on Little giving Town a free kick that found Howard at the back post but he miscued his shot sending it back across goal. Conroy getting his head to it but putting it well over.

A spate of yellow cards actually ensued as the game got untidy and a tad aggressive. Munro going into the book for a bad challeneg on Robson and J Hughes getting booked for approaching the incident from distance.

When the game settled down again Gallagher's energy almost created an opening for Siyanbola. Driving forward he found the striker on the edge of the box but Siyanbola was denied a shot at goal by a good tackle from Honour.

Stephenson then joined those on a yellow card after kicking the ball away in frustration after being adjudged to have handled. Park View were now in the ascendency and pushing on.

Robson played a ball into Siyanbola's feet and he neatly laid it off to Mallinson who's first time flick saw Young in space. He played a one two with Mallinson before getting into the box but his shot lacked power and Nolan saved easily.

Kobe Bewicke replaced Loveday who's normal influencing play had been stifled by the surface before Park View had another half chance. This time it was Mallaburn finding Siyanbola who laid the ball back to B Young.

Young's ball over and through the Town defence was a delight and gave Gallagher another opportunity to scamper at the heart of the pitch. However Little came across to meet the midfielder.

His challenging presence just enough to distract Gallagher who's effort from just outside the box flew well wide and high. Mallaburn then found Mallinson on the right who released the breaking B Young into the box.

Young getting to the byline and then pulling a dangerous ball across the face of the six-yard box that Honour did well to clear at the expense of a corner. The corner once again being dealt with well by the Town defence.

Frankie Young then replaced Brad Hughes who had put in a fine defensive midfield shift that had allowed B Young and Gallagher in particular to benefit further forward.

Town were chasing the game naturally but not necessarily constructively. Really mainly on long balls at the heart of the PV defence that Robson and captain Dylan Wilkinson were soaking up and dealing with superbly.

Even if their clearances weren't always clean ones Gallagher or one of the Young's always seemed to be there for the second ball and constantly swept away any danger.

The other tactic Town had was Thompson's long throw. From one as time ticked down was headed away by Siyanbola helping his defence out. It fell to substitute Ryan Doughety by his shot was blazed well over the bar.

B Young then once again did well to find Mallinson on the right who controlled before finding Siyanbola on the edge of the box with his back to goal. Siyanbola turned well but his left foot shot lacked direction and flew well wide.

From a Mallaburn throw B Young almost produced a great chance for a goal. Thompson headed the throw out but Young picked it up and showed great footwork to get inside the box with a superb spinning turn.

He looked an almost certain scorer until Howard made a last ditch sliding tackle to get the ball away just as Young was about to pull the trigger. Town then won a corner when Robson made a rare mistake miscuing a clearance.

Stephenson swung it in dangerously to the near post but Mallaburn headed it our for another corner. Stephenson delivered deeper this time but once again the PV defence was equal to it and cleared their lines.

That was the case on every occasion Town through the ball forward. Munro playing as an emergency centre forward was putting himself around but to no avail as Robson, Wilkinson and all continued to cope easily with the barrage.

The last goal worthy effort of the game actually came from Park View although it was an optimistic one. Bewicke trying his luck from just inside his own half as he noticed Nolan well outside his box.

The direction and power though was not enough to trouble the Town keeper who got back easily to gather and then launch another long ball forward that Park View dealt with.

That's how it remained until the referee blew for full time With Park View still a goal to the good taking all three points and moving well clear of their derby neighbours in the race for the play-off places.

Park View moving up to fourth in the table with games in hand on those above them. If they were to win them they could move into second place but no-one is under any illusions that is an easy task.

But for now, seven league wins in a row and their 14th clean sheet of a season where they currently post the best defensive record in the Division. Statistics that mean they are the form team in the table.

All in all a great way to end 2025 and they can look forward to 2026 and the challenges that lie ahead with confidence and belief.

TEAM : 1. James Hughes 2. Michael Mallaburn 3. Jamie Frizzel 4. Brad Hughes 5. Dylan Wilkinson (c) 6. Dylan Robson 7. Jacob Mallinson 8. Ben Gallagher 9. Stephen Siyanbola 10. Brandon Young 11. Charlie Loveday

SUBS : 12. Joe Sykes (Not Used) 14. Kobe Bewicke (for Loveday 72 mins) 15. Zac Boddy (Not Used) 16. Frankie Young (for B Hughes 79 mins) 17. Sam Beattie (Not Used)

GOAL SCORER : Gallagher 52 mins PLAYER of the GAME : Ben Gallagher